Shane Long will captain Ireland against Georgia, on Sunday, while Wes Hoolahan will earn his first international start as Giovanni Trapattoni goes with an experimental looking Irish side. Hoolahan will play in a two man midfield, alongside Wigan’s James MCarthy as Ireland stick to the preferred 4-4-2 formation.

Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney also gets a starting spot, alongside a defence of Paul Mcshane, Richard Keogh and Marc Wilson.

The manager told reporters he expected Richard Dunne would join the action with approximately half an hour left.

Ireland starting XI
Westwood,
McShane, R Keogh, Delaney, Wilson
A Keogh, Hoolahan, McCarthy, McClean
Cox, Long (c)